LAS VEGAS – After the Dallas Mavericks kept firing shots from three-point range in last season’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, it became clear they needed an experienced sharpshooter from long range.
In short, the Mavs desperately needed a guy like Klay Thompson.
Due to the Mavs’ good fortune, Thompson became available via free agency this offseason after his 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors ended. Thompson offered exactly what the Mavs needed, and the Mavs offered exactly what Thompson needed.
The two heavyweights united in July when Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavs with high hopes of dragging the Mavs across the finish line and helping them capture their second NBA title ever.
“That’s why I’m here,” Thompson said following the opening day of training camp held Tuesday on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus. I was attracted to their ability to win and the opportunity to win again.
“That’s the goal of this team this season is to win the championship obviously. But with my experience you have to take it week by week. Right now, my goal right now is to have a great training camp.”
As for a man, everyone on the Mavs believes Thompson is the missing piece in the Mavs winning another NBA title or two. They know he has a clear championship pedigree, having been instrumental in the Warriors winning four NBA titles.
“I think he’s a perfect fit,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He understands what it takes to win.
“His work ethic is unparalleled. He’ll help the younger players, but he’ll also help everyone when he’s on the floor.”
Kidd also expects Thompson to be one of the Mavs’ undisputed leaders in the locker room.
“I think a lot of times we take for granted the people who were there,” Kidd said. He’s been there, won, and lost, and he understands what it takes to get there.
“So, we have another resource that we can rely on to get to him. Also, we all know he can shoot. But his leadership is just another leader in that locker room.”
Thompson is a 41.3 percent shooter from beyond the three-point arc. In the four losses to the Celtics in the Finals, the Mavs were 33 of 115 from downtown for just 28.7 percent.
So, when Thompson saw the Mavs miss open 3-pointers repeatedly in the Finals, he knew he could help.
“I think my game complements this roster very well, especially from a perimeter scoring standpoint,” Thompson said. “I think I will help create space for players like Luka (Doncic) and Kyrie (Irving) to do their job.
“I think being here this week and playing with our team and building chemistry with the seniors and our guards has given our offense a whole new dimension. That’s why I was here in the first place because I saw how close they were to winning a championship, and the opportunity to do it again, I don’t take it for granted.” “I will do everything I can to try to get us back there.”
After spending his entire NBA career with the Warriors, Thompson was thrilled to have a new lease on his basketball life. It was very surreal, he said, adding that after his first practice session with the Mavs: “It felt good to get my nerves out and learn the defense schemes. It was really fun. It was great to compete and run up and down and listen to the coaching staff.”
“New team, new environment, new environment, so it feels like transferring schools. It’s a feeling you want to embrace because it’s very rare that you get those butterflies as a player. It’s cool.”
A 6-6 guard and forward, Thompson describes this as one of the most important training camps of his illustrious career.
“I think given how new it is and how new the system is to understand, this is not an exaggeration,” he said. “I think that’s true and that’s the way I deal with it. And I think if I deal with it that way, I’ll come out of this in a great position.”
Adjustments are expected from the way Thompson worked with the Warriors to the way he will work with the Mavs. But at the end of the day, Thompson knows it’s all just basketball.
“There are a few different adjustments, but they are very similar in terms of our defensive rotation and our schemes on handling the ball up top,” Thompson said. “It won’t be a big adjustment period for me.
“I think from an “It’s probably the best I’ve ever seen.”
Thompson said Doncic — who ranked second in the NBA in assists last season with 9.8 per game — could provide 11 or 12 assists this season with his assist.
“It’s going to be fun to play with him in those sets because he draws a lot of attention and gets a lot of open looks from the perimeter (for his teammates), so I’ll be there to knock them down,” Thompson said. “I think it will just take a few weeks to get used to this new system, but fortunately opening night won’t be until the 22nd (October).
“So, this pre-season might be the most important for me in many years. I know I’m an amateur, so I can adapt accordingly, and I’m looking forward to doing that.
Kidd has no doubt that the adjustments Thompson has made to the way the Mavs operate on the court will be seamless.
“I think it’s great for Klay to talk about the ability of great people to escape screens,” Kidd said. “A lot of times he’s the guy whose settings screens will open.
“So, the risk of him being able to take two (defenders) with him will open it up for (Daniel) Gafford or (Derek Lively II) or Maxie (Kleber) or whoever sets the screen for him.”
The Mavs had two days of practice on Tuesday and will practice again on Wednesday before Thursday off. In his free time, Thompson revealed that he knows how to relax.
“I brought my bike and my golf clubs,” he said. “Trust me. Restaurants.
“I’ll see a couple of art galleries (and) explore new terrain. I like to keep myself busy.”
During the Mavs’ first practice, Thompson also stayed busy noticing which of his new teammates improved their game. The answer?
“Najee (Marshall) played unbelievable,” Thompson said. “The guy was making floaters and pull-ups. He played really well.”
“He scored a few times on me. His jump was smooth and his mid-range was good, so Nagy was really impressive today.
Marshall has clearly been as impressive as the Mavs hope Thompson will be over the course of next season and the playoffs.
“The biggest challenge is not getting discouraged when you make mistakes,” Thompson said. “You will make mistakes. Just learn from it and try to absorb all the schemes that come your way.
“I love this team, and being around these guys the last eight or nine days has been great, and I think we have all the ingredients for a championship.”
Tenth: @Dwayne Price
